I’m an older person who is highly qualified and looking to change jobs, but for some reason, businesses don’t seem interested in me. I’m starting to think it’s my age. What should I do? Unfortunately, you are not alone. Starting a new job or new career later in life is daunting enough without the prospect of being treated differently because of your age. Under state… Read More
Author Archives: Juicebox Administrator
Oh Baby! Quick Answers to Your Maternity Leave Questions
I’m expecting my first child in July, and one of the most common questions people ask me is how much maternity leave I am taking. Luckily, our firm has great maternity and paternity leave policies, and I’ll be able to bring my son to work with me! But this question does highlight that many companies are not as family-friendly and working moms are often put… Read More
What to Know About Hostile Work Environments
I’m being bullied at work and I think my job has become a hostile work environment. People aren’t treating me with respect and it’s affecting my work. Can you help? We see a lot of complaints about a “hostile work environment.” This makes sense—many workplaces can feel hostile. However, whether you have a harassment claim often depends on (1) why you are being bullied or… Read More
Right to Sue
“I filed my civil rights complaint with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission (“ICRC”) or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), my claim is being investigated, and more than 60 days has elapsed. I have the option of requesting my Right-to-Sue letter now. Should I wait to hire an attorney until after I receive my Right-to-Sue letter?” The short answer is no. First, your civil rights… Read More
What to Know: Election Day 2018
Someone struggled for your right to vote. Use it. – Susan B. Anthony Tomorrow is Election Day in the U.S.A., and Fiedler Law Firm wants to make sure that you are heard at the polls. Because voting can be tricky, we have outlined some frequently asked questions below to make voting a little easier for you. Voter Registration. I forgot to register. Can I still… Read More
‘Merica
All persons born or naturalized in the United States . . . are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny… Read More
What Are Your Rights at Work after a Cancer Diagnosis?
Cancer. The word alone evokes strong emotions. A cancer diagnosis affects everyone differently. Many people wonder how they will manage treatment and work. They ask themselves: What do I tell my boss? Should I take time off work for treatment? How will I pay my bills? Importantly, cancer can be considered a disability, meaning an employee who tells his or her employer about a cancer… Read More
What Do You Mean?
A Helpful List of Many Employment Law-Related Words and their Meanings At-Will State: When an employee can be dismissed by an employer for any reason (that is, without having to establish “just cause” for termination), and without warning, as long as the reason is not illegal (e.g. firing because of the employee’s protect class). Right to Work State: A Right to Work law guarantees that… Read More
What Does it Mean When People say Iowa is an “At Will” State?
You’ve just started a new job and your employee handbook says you are employed “at-will.” Then you see that at-will means that you can be fired at any time, for any reason or no reason at all. Now that you are sweating, and likely freaking out a little, you ask yourself, “Does this mean I don’t have any options if I’m fired?” Don’t worry. Simply… Read More
Jury Awards $2M to Fiedler Law Firm Client Retaliated Against by The State of Iowa
On Wednesday afternoon, a Polk County jury returned a $2,000,000 verdict in favor of former Iowa State Penitentiary Corrections Officer, Kristine Sink. After a decade-long battle of standing up to various civil rights abuses at the penitentiary, the jury found that the State of Iowa and the Iowa Department of Corrections illegally retaliated against Kristine and failed to accommodate her disabilities. Kristine started working at… Read More